MINEX Forum

Region: Kazakhstan

  • Chinese Investor Injects $5 Million into Kazakhstan’s Mining Exploration Sector

    Chinese Investor Injects $5 Million into Kazakhstan’s Mining Exploration Sector

    A new mining exploration company, Zhongjian Hengxin Mining, has been registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) with a significant capital investment of $5 million from Chinese investors. The company, established by Jian Zheng, aims to engage in geological exploration and related services to facilitate mineral extraction. This investment marks a notable entry into Kazakhstan’s mining sector, which has been increasingly attracting foreign capital, particularly from China.

    The registration of Zhongjian Hengxin Mining on June 22, 2026, aligns with a growing trend of Chinese companies establishing a presence in Kazakhstan’s mining industry. Notably, the address of the new company has already been home to several other Chinese firms involved in similar activities, including Tianshan Resources, which was registered in June and is also focused on mining services. This trend underscores the strategic interest of Chinese corporations in Kazakhstan’s rich mineral resources, particularly in light of Zijin Mining Group’s recent acquisition of RG Gold, a gold mining company operating in the Akmolinsk region.

    The influx of Chinese investment, exemplified by Zijin Mining Group’s commitment of $600 million towards the development of the Raigorodok gold deposit, highlights the potential for growth in Kazakhstan’s mining sector. As more companies like Zhongjian Hengxin Mining emerge, the collaboration between Kazakhstan and Chinese investors is expected to strengthen, paving the way for enhanced exploration and extraction activities in the region, which is rich in various minerals.

  • Kazakhstan to Import Zinc Ore from Afghanistan Under New Supply Agreement

    Kazakhstan to Import Zinc Ore from Afghanistan Under New Supply Agreement

    Kazakhstan has signed a significant trade agreement to import zinc ore from Afghanistan, marking an expansion of the country’s raw material sourcing strategy. The agreement was formalised during the opening of Kazakhstan’s Trade House in Kabul, where Shalkiya Zinc LTD, a subsidiary of the National Mining Company Tau-Ken Samruk, entered into a contract with Afghan German Bakhtar Company for the supply of zinc ore.

    Under the terms of the contract, Shalkiya Zinc LTD will purchase up to 30,000 tonnes of zinc ore annually, with a total contract value of $18.88 million. The ore will be shipped to Kazakhstan under DAP (Delivered at Place) conditions, meaning Afghan German Bakhtar Company will assume all transportation costs and associated risks, whilst Shalkiya Zinc LTD will handle customs duties and unloading operations. This arrangement provides a clear division of responsibilities and ensures efficient logistics for the supply chain.

    The initiative builds on previous exploratory work conducted by Tau-Ken Samruk, which collected samples from the Pami-Kakrak deposit in Bamian Province during autumn 2025. Laboratory analysis conducted by Kazzinc confirmed that the imported mineral raw material can be integrated into the existing technological processes of Kazakhstan’s mining and processing plants. This validation demonstrates the compatibility of Afghan ore with Kazakhstan’s current production infrastructure, making the partnership commercially viable.

    The new supply channel arrives at a critical time for Kazakhstan’s zinc sector. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, zinc production declined during the first five months of 2026, with copper-zinc ore output falling 18.8 per cent year-on-year to 2.2 million tonnes, and refined zinc production dropping 12.9 per cent to 93,000 tonnes. The Afghan ore imports are expected to help stabilise and support these production figures. Additionally, other Kazakhstani companies, including ERG, are exploring similar opportunities for mineral resource development in Afghanistan, with ERG considering chrome mining ventures potentially structured as joint enterprises.

  • Kazakh PM Orders New Measures to Accelerate Metallurgical Sector Growth

    Kazakh PM Orders New Measures to Accelerate Metallurgical Sector Growth

    Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has directed Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction to formulate additional stimulus measures for the country’s metallurgical sector within the next month, signaling a renewed push to boost industrial output and investment. The directive was announced during a government meeting reviewing Kazakhstan’s socio-economic performance in the first half of 2026. Bektenov tasked the ministry, alongside state mining company Tau-Ken Samruk, with ensuring full utilization of non-ferrous metallurgical enterprises, including by supplying imported gold for domestic refining. In the ferrous metallurgy segment, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for Qarmet, under its modernization program, to expand its product range to include items most in demand in both domestic and international markets. Bektenov stressed that the pace of growth in the manufacturing sector depends on the timely implementation of investment projects. He instructed the ministry and regional administrations to review all investment projects within one week to identify challenges and outline specific remedial measures. Additionally, the Prime Minister ordered the submission of draft amendments within one month to introduce new mechanisms aimed at improving the efficiency of Kazakhstan’s special economic zones. Bektenov also emphasized the importance of maintaining current construction activity levels, calling for continuous monitoring of housing commissioning and swift resolution of emerging issues. He recalled President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to begin a large-scale program for building social and infrastructure facilities, with a particular focus on modern healthcare institutions. The announcement follows earlier reports that Kazakhstan plans to launch eight non-ferrous metallurgy projects in 2026, expected to create over 1,500 jobs, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding the mining and metals sector as a key driver of economic growth.

  • ERG Shareholders Consider Splitting Kazakhstan and International Mining Businesses

    ERG Shareholders Consider Splitting Kazakhstan and International Mining Businesses

    The owners of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) are considering a major restructuring that would separate the company’s Kazakhstan operations from its international mining assets, according to people familiar with the discussions.

    The proposed split would divide the group between its two principal private shareholders, Shakhmurat Mutalip and Shukhrat Ibragimov. ERG currently generates most of its revenue from iron ore, ferrochrome and aluminium production in Kazakhstan, while also operating mining assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil.

    Under the proposal, Shukhrat Ibragimov, ERG’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since 2024, would exchange his family’s 20% shareholding for ownership of the international business, which would be transferred into a newly created company. Shakhmurat Mutalip and the Government of Kazakhstan, which holds a 40% stake in ERG, would retain ownership of the group’s Kazakhstan mining and metallurgical operations.

    If completed, the restructuring would strengthen Mutalip’s influence over ERG’s domestic business, while allowing Ibragimov to focus on the company’s international portfolio, particularly its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ERG owns several producing and development-stage assets in the country, including Metalkol, one of the world’s largest cobalt producers and a significant copper supplier.

    The discussions follow Mutalip’s acquisition of a 39.3% stake in ERG in May from the families of co-founders Patokh Chodiev and Alexander Mashkevich, reflecting a broader transition in Kazakhstan’s business landscape. Last month, the chairman of Mutalip’s construction company was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ERG’s Kazakhstan business.

    According to sources, approximately US$2 billion of ERG’s debt would be transferred to the new international company. The business would continue to face operational challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including illegal mining activities affecting concessions operated by Metalkol and Boss Mining SAS.

    The potential restructuring comes amid growing international interest in critical mineral supply chains. The United States has increased its engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector as part of efforts to diversify supplies of copper and cobalt away from China. In December, Washington signed a strategic partnership with the Congolese government aimed at supporting American investment in mining and infrastructure projects.

    Neither ERG nor representatives of the shareholders immediately commented on the reported plans.

  • Kazakhstan and South Korea to Establish Rare Earth Research Centre in Almaty

    Kazakhstan and South Korea to Establish Rare Earth Research Centre in Almaty

    Satbayev University, in partnership with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and the Korea National Institute of Rare Metals (KORAM), will establish a Kazakh-Korean Centre for Rare and Rare Earth Metals Research at the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation in Almaty.

    During a joint meeting, representatives of the three institutions discussed the next stages of the project, including the installation of advanced scientific equipment and future areas of research and technological cooperation.

    According to the Korean partners, the new centre will serve as a leading research platform for training highly qualified specialists in rare and rare earth metals, while providing Kazakh researchers with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and expanding opportunities for scientific research and technology development.

    Satbayev University Rector Professor Meiram Begentayev said the initiative would combine the scientific expertise of Kazakhstan and South Korea to advance technologies for the deep processing of strategic mineral resources, strengthen research capabilities and support the development of internationally competitive specialists.

    The project aligns with Kazakhstan’s strategy to expand value-added processing of mineral resources. The country is currently a global supplier of 21 of the 34 minerals identified as critical raw materials.

    The centre is expected to become one of Kazakhstan’s first specialised full-cycle research and technology facilities dedicated to rare and rare earth metals. It will focus on developing environmentally friendly technologies for producing high- and ultra-high-purity rare metals and rare earth elements, with research progressing through pilot testing to industrial implementation.

    In addition to technology development, the centre will conduct both fundamental and applied research, as well as pilot-scale testing of new technologies for the integrated processing of primary mineral resources and secondary industrial materials.

  • US Trade Court Orders Review of Antidumping Ruling Against Kazakh Ferrosilicon Producers Kazchrome and YDD Corporation

    US Trade Court Orders Review of Antidumping Ruling Against Kazakh Ferrosilicon Producers Kazchrome and YDD Corporation

    The United States Court of International Trade has ordered the US Department of Commerce to reconsider elements of its antidumping determination against ferrosilicon exported to the American market by Kazakhstan’s Kazchrome and Karaganda-based YDD Corporation, following a legal challenge filed by the two companies.

    The court returned specific questions to the Department of Commerce for further consideration, including the treatment of YDD’s sales to its American customer and the date of sale applied to Kazchrome’s transactions. The court also deferred its ruling on the Department of Commerce’s application of partial adverse facts available — a methodology used to calculate dumping margins when companies fail to provide complete information — and on YDD’s antidumping duty calculation, pending resolution of the remanded sales question.

    The court ordered the matter to be returned for further review with supplementary materials and comments from the parties. Key points of contention during proceedings centred on the calculation of YDD’s margin in light of its product deliveries routed through the US to Canada, and the pricing timeline for Kazchrome’s sales to its trader Telf AG at the point of shipment to the American market.

    In May 2025, the US imposed countervailing duties on Kazakhstani ferrosilicon producers following an investigation: 16.82% on YDD Corporation and affiliated companies, and 265.53% on Kazchrome and its trader Telf AG. The measures followed complaints by US producers CC Metals and Alloys LLC and Ferroglobe USA Inc alleging material injury from unfair trade practices.

    Kazchrome is part of Eurasian Resources Group and represents the group’s primary revenue source. The Kazakhstani government holds a 40% stake in ERG. The Karaganda YDD plant was partially oriented toward the American market and was built with financing from the Development Bank of Kazakhstan. The plant’s ownership is also reported to be changing hands.

  • General Base Minerals to Drill Over 20,000 Metres for Gold in Kazakhstan’s Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone

    General Base Minerals to Drill Over 20,000 Metres for Gold in Kazakhstan’s Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone

    General Base Minerals LLP is planning geological exploration across an 11 square kilometre licence area in Abai Region of Kazakhstan, within the boundaries of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone — a designated area established on the former Soviet nuclear test site to facilitate gradual remediation and the return of contaminated land to productive use.

    The exploration area is located approximately 50 kilometres from the village of Sarzhal. The company received its geological exploration licence in February 2026 and plans to begin fieldwork this year, with the full project to be completed by 2031.

    The programme is designed to confirm the presence of gold mineralisation across five blocks of the Shan area, which forms part of the Boko-Vasilyevskoye gold ore field. Resources will be estimated across three standard categories: Inferred, Indicated and Measured. Planned drilling exceeds 20,000 linear metres, complemented by geophysical and geochemical surveys, mapping boreholes and surface excavation works including more than 20 trenches totalling 6,000 linear metres.

    The Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone, established on the site of the former Soviet nuclear weapons test polygon where more than 450 nuclear tests were conducted between 1949 and 1989, has been progressively opened to regulated economic activity including mining exploration as remediation work advances.

  • Kazakhstan’s Zhezkazganredmet Signs $107 Million Rhenium Offtake Deal With UK’s Maritime House as $30 Million Processing Plant Planned for Saran

    Kazakhstan’s Zhezkazganredmet Signs $107 Million Rhenium Offtake Deal With UK’s Maritime House as $30 Million Processing Plant Planned for Saran

    Kazakhstan’s state enterprise Zhezkazganredmet has signed a five-year offtake contract worth $107 million with British company Maritime House Ltd for the supply of rhenium metal produced from secondary raw materials, providing the commercial foundation for a $30 million rhenium processing plant planned for the city of Saran in Karaganda Region.

    The long-term contract was signed at the Ministry of Industry and Construction in the presence of Minister Yersaiyn Nagassayev. The agreement is designed to ensure stable production loading at the new facility and underpins the investment case for the project before it has even been launched.

    Maritime House is described as one of the world’s leading producers of metallic rhenium and has been collaborating with Zhezkazganredmet since 2023 on the development of technologies for extracting and processing rare earth elements from various raw material streams, including waste from the aviation and petrochemical industries. Zhezkazganredmet has already developed and implemented a technology for processing heat-resistant nickel alloys, with Rolls-Royce serving as the primary supplier of raw material supported by Maritime House — producing rhenium, nickel-cobalt concentrate and tungsten-tantalum concentrate in the process.

    Looking further ahead, Zhezkazganredmet is planning to develop green technology for processing lithium-ion batteries from electric scooters, electric vehicles and power tools, in partnership with an Australian company. The enterprise also plans to form a consortium with Kazatomprom, SGS and Maritime House to extract rare earth elements from Kazatomprom’s uranium processing streams, and separately to process neodymium-based permanent magnets.

  • Kazakhstan Researchers Develop Carbothermic Technology to Extract Lithium From Low-Grade Aluminosilicate Ores at Double the Concentration of Conventional Methods

    Kazakhstan Researchers Develop Carbothermic Technology to Extract Lithium From Low-Grade Aluminosilicate Ores at Double the Concentration of Conventional Methods

    Researchers at Kazakhstan’s National Centre for Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials have developed a new technology for extracting lithium from low-grade aluminosilicate ores, achieving lithium oxide concentrate grades of 12 to 14% — approximately double the concentration achievable through conventional extraction methods.

    The process is based on carbothermic smelting, which enables effective separation of lithium from the aluminosilicate residue. A notable feature of the technology is its dual output: in addition to lithium concentrate, the process produces FS45-grade ferrosilicon as a co-product, adding commercial value to what would otherwise be process waste.

    The new approach is also described as more environmentally responsible than existing methods. By reducing the volume of aggressive sulphuric acid solutions required in processing, the technology lowers both the environmental footprint of production and the associated operating costs — addressing two of the most significant barriers to developing Kazakhstan’s aluminosilicate lithium resources at scale.

    The breakthrough was announced by the press service of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Construction and represents a potential pathway to utilising lithium-bearing ore bodies that have previously been considered too low-grade for economic extraction.

  • EBRD Provides $300 Million Loan to Solidcore Resources for Kazakhstan’s First Pressure Oxidation Hydrometallurgical Plant in Pavlodar

    EBRD Provides $300 Million Loan to Solidcore Resources for Kazakhstan’s First Pressure Oxidation Hydrometallurgical Plant in Pavlodar

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing a loan of up to $300 million to Solidcore Resources and its subsidiary Ertis Hydrometallurgical Plant for the construction of a pressure oxidation hydrometallurgical complex in the Pavlodar Region of Kazakhstan — the first facility of its kind in Central Asia and a project that will establish a new metallurgical segment in the country.

    The EBRD will act as anchor lender, with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, ING Bank and Société Générale serving as co-lenders. The Ertis complex will be capable of processing up to 278,500 tonnes of gold concentrate annually, converting refractory and double-refractory gold concentrates into Doré bars — a semi-pure gold alloy — and significantly reducing Solidcore’s dependence on external processing arrangements.

    The project carries strategic importance for Kazakhstan’s mining sector, which contributes approximately 12% of GDP and around one third of all commodity exports. Refractory ores, which require more complex processing than conventional gold ores, account for approximately half of Kazakhstan’s total gold resources. The ability to process these ores domestically through pressure oxidation technology will unlock material that has previously been difficult to develop economically, boosting the country’s competitiveness and mineral supply potential.

    Pressure oxidation is described by the EBRD as one of the most resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and safe technologies in the hydrometallurgical industry. Solidcore has already tested the technology in similar projects, providing operational confidence for its application at Ertis scale. The project will also benefit from technical assistance provided by the Green Climate Fund and the EBRD to strengthen Solidcore’s corporate climate governance and ESG reporting practices beyond local regulatory requirements.